Survey Request – Process Serving – A “PI” Function Or Not?
Dear All
I recently attended on behalf of both WAPI & ISG (The Investigator Sector Group) a Review of National Occupational Standards which the Sector as a whole finalised and which were accepted some 4 years ago.
The whole spectrum of Standards is perplexing to many Members, and to try and explain the purpose and value is not an easy task!
IF the SIA were to determine that Licence Applicants will have to take an Exam, the level and types of questions would be based upon
National Occupational Standards, this would test and demonstrate knowledge and ability in a range of normal everyday tasks.
The benchmark is the NOS, and each Sector generates their own NOS based upon the input from the Sector as to the range of tasks normally undertaken, the manner in which they are undertaken and the standard to be reached when undertaking and the underpinning knowledge about the task. The Investigation Sector created their NOS some years ago, and it is these simplified statements of each aspect of the work that we all do which have been adopted as the finite point so that anyone who wishes can demonstrate their ability to perform a set task to a defined level and therefore be deemed as competent so far as that task is concerned.
What is a NOS?
National Occupational Standards are the specification of competence expected in work roles. They are descriptions of successful outcomes of workplace activities. Standards combine the knowledge, understanding and skills required to perform competently in the work environment. They are not themselves descriptions of educational or training inputs but can be used to determine these inputs.
Each standard must be capable of standing on its own to describe the competence performance of a work activity, and also of being combined with other standards to describe a larger area work activity.
Qualifications are only one use of occupational standards and it is therefore better to put to one side the notion of developing a qualification when writing the standards. However it is important to remember that standards are the benchmark of competence that people will be trained to and measured against.
Each National Occupational Standard (NOS) unit comprises:-
A workplace activity (Element of Competence)
Including Performance + Knowledge + Range statement
In essence:
- Standards are not qualifications
- Standards are not training schemes
- Standards are not instructions how to do something
- Standards are specifications for workplace competence
- Standards should only identify and specify the critical indicators of competence
Some of the NOS are common across the range of occupations found within the Security Industry, whilst others are only found only within the specialised Sectors of the security Industry. (For example – all Sectors need to know the basic Compliance with the Controlling Legislation applicable – such as DPA – whereas only the Investigation Sector needs to know how to plan & co-ordinate an Investigation)
Why have a “NOS” – What purpose/value?
The regulation and gradual licensing of the Security Sector has and will “professionalise” the role of the PI in Society.
The security business sector has taken on a more professional image. At the same time the Awards Bodies for the UK (QCA and SQA) have asked all Sectors to review the respective Standards applicable in their Sector and to develop the Common NOS so as to reduce the amount of duplicated units and to encourage transferable skills. (This means to be able to move from job to job within the Security Sector on the basis of common skills found in all elements).
One question that arose is whether or not Process Service is, or should be included within the various National Occupational Standards for an Investigator. Those against take the view that Process in not a licensable activity, and that “anyone can do it” it seems to relate more to Bailiff work and should be moved from Investigation to Bailiff Sectors. Process in their view should not therefore be assigned Standards within the Investigation NOS Suite.
Those for took the view that most Private Investigators undertake Process Service as part of their Agency Services, and that historically PI’s have dealt with process and the closely related ancillary services, such as locating to Serve, often involving costly and complex investigative effort! To serve Process requires a great deal of expertise, from checking the paperwork, to complying with the evermore complex rules, let alone Hague and EU Directives etc! Process Servers should be provided with a set of standards within the Investigative Suite of standards to enable an Awarding Body to assess the competence of a person wishing to be assessed or tested for a formal qualification.
For this reason, I would invite all UK based Members to fire of a short email to Ian@PILimited.com with answers to the following questions:
- Do you undertake Process Serving as part of your Services?
- What percentage of your Gross Sales relates to Process?
- Do you agree that Process Service should be considered as part or/aligned to the Investigation Sector? Yes/No
- Do you agree that those who may desire to formalize their skills in a recognized Exam or Assessment should be able to do so?
- Do you agree that a “Competent Professional Investigator” should understand Process Serving, whether or not undertaken?
Many thanks for anticipated replies, which will be collated and presented at the next Meeting with Skills for Security in September.
Ian (D. Withers)
UK/EU Regulation
WAPI - Past Chairman
www.wapi.com
Ian@PILimited.com
+44 7970 645 420
Ian (D. Withers)
Category: Industry News